Lead & Copper

Fulton County, along with water providers across the country, are required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to notify customers of the status of their water service lines, whether the material is known or unknown.

Currently, about 35% of the service lines in our system are unknown. We are in the process of reducing the number of unknown service lines in our system and expect to make significant progress in the next year. If you would like to help by identifying the material of your own service line, please scroll down to “Can I Check the Material of My Own Service Line?” for a how-to guide and a link to our self-reporting form.

The North Fulton Water Distribution System encompasses most of Fulton County north of the Chattahoochee River, including all of Alpharetta, Johns Creek, and Milton, as well as a majority of Roswell. The City of Roswell serves a portion of the southwest portion of the city and is responsible for the inventory there. Information about their program can be found here.

If you are unsure who your water provider is, you can use our Water Service Lookup tool to find out if you are in our service area. You can also check your water bill to find out who your provider is.

The water service line is the pipe that brings water from the water main into your home.

The section of the service line that runs from the water main to your water meter, the public service line, is owned by your water provider along with the water meter.  The section of the service line that runs from the meter into your home, the private service line, is owned by the property owner. Please view our Service Lateral Responsibility flyer for more information.

Over the years, various materials have been used to manufacture water service lines, including galvanized steel, copper, and plastic. Prior to 1990, some service lines in Georgia may have contained lead, which can have negative health impacts if it enters the water through corrosion of plumbing materials. FCPW current standard is to install Type K 1” copper for all public service lines, but we do not provide any specifications for private service lines.

In order to protect public health and continue providing high-quality drinking water, FCPW is inventorying service line materials to identify any public or private service lines that may need to be replaced.

Fulton County water customers will be randomly selected for County personnel to do a field investigation to assess their water service line and determine its material. These customers will receive a Temporary Right of Entry authorization form by mail. If the customer agrees to have their service line tested, this form will need to be returned to Fulton County to arrange a date for testing.

Customers will receive a notification letter if their service line material is determined to be lead or galvanized steel OR if their service line material is unknown. If you do not receive a notification letter by December 1, 2024 indicating otherwise, then it has been determined that your site has no lead or galvanized service lines (including the customer-owned service line from the meter to the building inlet). You can also view your service line material classification by searching your address on the Service Line Inventory Map.

You can check the material of your service line with some simple tests. The U.S. EPA and the LSLR Collaborative each provide helpful guides to help you identify your service line material. If you are able to determine the material of your service line, please use our Water Service Line Self-Reporting Form to update us.

The Atlanta-Fulton County Water Treatment Plant uses corrosion control treatment techniques to prevent the leaching of lead into the water from any plumbing components that may contain lead. In addition, Fulton County Public Works tests samples of water from points throughout our distribution system for a variety of water quality parameters, including lead. 

The most recent water sample results received on September 25, 2024 showed that the 90th percentile of all lead levels measured in the distribution system was 1.60 micrograms per liter (µg/L). The action level for lead in drinking water is 15 micrograms per liter (µg/L).

To see more water testing results, please view our annual Drinking Water Quality Reports.

Fulton County is looking for participants for its next Copper-Lead Sampling Program. If you are interested and are a Fulton County water customer, please fill out the interest form here. This program has limited capacity. Signing up is not a guarantee that your water will be tested. 

There are two private certified labs in the metro area that can test your water for lead. Please contact them for information, pricing, and sample collection instructions. Customer is responsible for water testing costs.

Eurofins Atlanta
Chamblee
770.457.8177

Pace Analytical
Norcross
770.734.4200

To learn more about the possible health effects of lead in water, or to learn more about the results of our water testing, please review our annual Drinking Water Quality Report. Fulton County’s water meets or exceeds all relevant requirements for drinking water quality.

If lead is present in your drinking water, or if you have pipes or plumbing fixtures that contain lead, you can minimize your exposure by taking the following steps:

a. Flush the cold water tap until the water becomes as cold as it will get before using it for drinking or cooking.
b. Use only cold water for drinking, cooking, and making baby formula, avoiding water from the hot water tap for these purposes.
c. Ensure that only 'lead-free' solder, fluxes, and materials are used in new household plumbing and repairs.
d. Use a point-of-use or pitcher filter certified to reduce lead.

*As a precautionary measure, if the material type of your pipes is classified as “Unknown”, consider taking these steps to minimize potential exposure.